TikTok emojis bring a fun twist to the way people express themselves on the platform. 

Unlike standard emojis, TikTok has hidden TikTok emojis that appear when you type special text replacement strings inside square brackets.

These aren’t visible on the system-wide emoji keyboard, making them feel like a secret code for app users. 

From cute reactions in the comments section to animated symbols in captions, these emojis make TikTok conversations way more interesting!

What Are TikTok Emojis and How Do They Work?

Ever wondered why some emojis on the TikTok app don’t look like the ones on your phone’s system-wide emoji keyboard? 

That’s because TikTok has its own set of custom emoticons! 

These special emojis aren’t just random, they’re part of a hidden feature that lets users add unique reactions using text replacement strings inside square brackets.

The Complete List of TikTok Emojis and Their Meanings

Best TikTok Emojis

TikTok has over 40+ hidden emojis, each with a corresponding emoji graphic that appears only when you type the text replacement strings inside square brackets. 

These aren’t available on the system-wide emoji keyboard, making them a fun secret for app users.

Facial Expressions & Reactions

  • [smile] – A bright, cute smiling face
  • [laugh] – A laughing face with an open mouth
  • [blink] – A playful wink
  • [awkward] – A cringy, uncomfortable face
  • [angry] – A red-faced emoji, showing frustration
  • [disdain] – A side-eye emoji, perfect for unimpressed reactions
  • [rage] – An extremely angry, steaming face
  • [tears] – Crying with big tears rolling down
  • [slap] – A hand slap emoji, ideal for facepalms
  • [surprised] – A shocked face with wide eyes
  • [wow] – An exaggerated open-mouth reaction
  • [shy] – A blushing emoji looking away
  • [flushed] – A very red face, embarrassed
  • [excited] – A cheerful, excited expression
  • [silly] – A goofy, tongue-out look

Love & Affection

  • [love] – A heart-shaped face
  • [heartbroken] – A sad face with a broken heart
  • [kiss] – A kissing face emoji
  • [mua] – A cute emoji blowing a kiss

Funny & Playful

  • [facepalm] – A head-slapping gesture
  • [drool] – A face drooling over something delicious
  • [vomit] – A disgusted, green face
  • [evil] – A mischievous smirk

Cool & Confident

  • [cool] – A face with sunglasses
  • [smirk] – A confident, sassy expression
  • [chill] – A relaxed, easy-going look
  • [thinking] – A thoughtful, questioning face

Animals & Objects

  • [dog] – A cute puppy face
  • [cat] – A grinning cat face
  • [cake] – A delicious birthday cake
  • [gift] – A wrapped present
  • [star] – A shining gold star

Miscellaneous

  • [bye] – A waving hand, perfect for goodbyes
  • [sleep] – A snoozing emoji, showing tiredness
  • [poop] – A funny poop emoji
  • [idea] – A lightbulb moment

How to Use Hidden TikTok Emojis

Hidden Text Emojis

Want to master hidden emojis and impress your followers? 

It’s simple! Since they don’t appear in the system-wide emoji keyboard, you need to type their text replacement strings manually inside square brackets.

Here’s how:

  1. Go to the comments section or a caption
  2. Type the emoji’s special code inside square brackets (e.g., [smile])
  3. Post your comment or caption, the text will transform into a custom emoticon!

Examples:

  • Feeling happy? Type [smile] to brighten up the conversation.
  • Laughing at a funny video? Use [laugh] for the perfect reaction.
  • Cringing at something awkward? Add [awkward] to say it all without words.
  • Seeing something frustrating? [rage] or [disdain] will get the message across.

Why Some TikTok Emojis May Not Work on Certain Devices

how to use emojis on TikTok

Ever tried using TikTok emojis only to see plain text instead of a corresponding emoji graphic? 

Some hidden emojis may not work properly, depending on your device, TikTok app version, or Android versions.

1. Your Device Might Not Support Custom Emoticons

Unlike native emojis, which are built into the system-wide emoji keyboard, TikTok emojis function differently. 

They’re rendered within the TikTok app, meaning some older devices may struggle to display them correctly.

If your phone’s software isn’t up to date, certain custom emoticons might not appear at all.

2. Outdated TikTok App Version

If your app isn’t updated, you might run into issues with emoji graphics not loading. 

TikTok frequently updates its custom emoticons, so make sure you’re running the latest version to avoid missing out.

3. Android vs. iOS Compatibility

Different Android versions and iOS updates can affect how TikTok emojis are displayed. 

Some older Android versions might not support all the latest emoji updates, leading to missing or broken emojis in the comments section or TikTok captions.

4. Formatting Issues: Square Brackets Matter!

For hidden TikTok emojis to appear, they must be typed correctly inside square brackets. 

If you accidentally add spaces or misspell a text replacement string, the emoji won’t show up. 

For example:

  • Correct: [blink]
  • Wrong: [ blink ]

5. Regional or Account Restrictions

Some TikTok emojis might be unavailable in certain regions due to platform updates or restrictions. 

If you see other users using emojis you don’t have access to, it could be a region-specific issue.

How to Fix TikTok Emoji Issues

  • Update your app to the latest version.
  • Check if your device supports custom emojis in other apps.
  • Make sure you're typing the emoji correctly inside square brackets.
  • Try logging out and back into TikTok, sometimes, a refresh helps!

Conclusion

TikTok emojis bring a unique and fun way to express emotions on the platform. 

Unlike native emojis, these custom emoticons require special text replacement strings inside square brackets to appear in the comments section and captions.

If you want to stand out even more, growing your audience can help, services like Naizop's buy TikTok followers make it easy to build credibility and reach more people. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are all the secret emojis in TikTok?

There are over 40+ hidden TikTok emojis, including [smile], [laugh], [blink], [awkward], [angry], [disdain], [rage], [tears], [slap], [love], [shy], [flushed], [wow], [cool], [dog], [cake], and more. These emojis only appear when typed inside square brackets.

What are the words for the TikTok emojis?

Each TikTok emoji is activated using a text replacement string in square brackets. For example:

  • [laugh] for a giggling face
  • [blink] for a playful wink
  • [awkward] for a cringy reaction
  • [rage] for extreme frustration
  • [tears] for a crying emoji

What do certain emojis mean on TikTok?

TikTok emojis express different moods and reactions. For example:

  • [smile] shows happiness
  • [disdain] is for unimpressed reactions
  • [slap] works for facepalms
  • [heartbroken] represents sadness
  • [surprised] expresses shock

Do some emojis have hidden meanings?

Yes! Some TikTok emojis carry hidden meanings depending on trends. For example:

  • [blink] is often used sarcastically
  • [laugh] can mean something is awkwardly funny
  • [rage] sometimes represents exaggerated frustration for jokes
  • [shy] can be flirty or embarrassed

Key Takeaways

  • Grow your presence with Naizop – More followers mean more engagement. Buy TikTok followers from Naizop to boost your reach!
  • TikTok emojis are unique – They don’t appear on the system emoji keyboard and must be typed inside square brackets.
  • Hidden TikTok emojis exist – Special text replacement strings unlock fun custom emoticons for captions and comments.